AP Electricity Regulatory Commission public hearings across state from Feb 5

Amaravati: AP Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) is going to conduct meetings in various cities in the state between February 5 and 9 to collect public opinion on electricity tariffs for 2018-19.

Addressing a press conference at Vidyut Soudha here on Monday, APERC chairman Justice G Bhavani Prasad said the APERC had decided to receive suggestions, views and objections to decide tariff for 2018-19 from stakeholders and consumers. 

The meetings to gather public opinion would be conducted in Visakhapatnam, Rajamahendravaram, Ongole, Tirupati and Hyderabad from February 5 to 9.   He said that they would try to elicit public opinion on the style of functioning of the energy department.  

Justice Bhavani Prasad said the APERC would issue its orders on the new tariff rates for the next financial year by March 31. APTransco, APGenco and two distribution companies submitted their opinions over the tariff proposals in the coordination committee meeting that was held on Monday at Vidyut Soudha.

The chairman said that though there was a huge revenue deficit, the energy department did not want to increase electricity tariffs and the state government also wants the same. “The distribution companies are in favour of not increasing electricity tariffs and submitted their proposals conveying the same opinion. 

We have to study on how to bridge the revenue gap without increasing tariff. We have also to know what amount the government will give as subsidy,” he said. He said the term of present advisory council of APERC would be completed soon.

According to sources, the tariff rate per kilowatt (kW) in 2014-15 is Rs 3.77 as against the actual rate of Rs 4.32 (per kW). It is Rs 3.60 in 2015-16 as against the actual rate of Rs 4.23 (per kw), Rs 3.72 in 2016-17 as against the actual rate of Rs 4.17 (kw) and Rs 3.81 in the first half of 2017-18 as against the actual cost of Rs 4.03 (per kw).

Managing director of APTransco K Vijayanand, CMD of APSPDCL MM Nayak, CMD of APEPDCL HY Dora, APERC member Mohana Rao, joint managing directors of APTransco Dinesh Paruchuri and P Umapathi were present.